Gracie has also begun taking 4-5 steps at a time. The other night she was trying to walk, but she wouldn't pick up her right foot so she was just going in a circle! Both girls prefer to crawl because it is faster, but I have a feeling by next week they will pick up walking speed. Hope everyone has a good weekend.
Both girls have been standing up on their own and acting like they want to walk for about a week now. Lily has looked like she has taken 1-2 steps, but we didn't think that counted- today I got to the daycare and was met with much excitement- "LILY WALKED ACROSS THE ROOM!" It was probably 10 feet and last we tried to reinact the scene- she would take 4-5 steps and then go to her knees. She really likes to step sideways! Anyways, we couldn't get the video camera to work but I will put the video online as soon as I get some. Gracie is really close too!
It has been a busy 2 weeks in the Henson family! It started with a family vacation to Ruidoso, NM. I can't remember the last vacation we took with my family. My parents were given a gift of a cabin for the weekend- it was fabulous! It was four bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, great room with kitchen, eating area and TV area. There was a big covered back porch with a hot tub- very nice in the cool, rainy weather! We were there Friday, Saturday, and then home on Sunday. The girls did well with the drive- although Lily's ears were bothering her in the altitude. Here's a pic of the cabin-
Yesterday the girls had their 1-year wellness check. They are pretty much the same in all objective categories (height, weight, etc)- in fact, the doctor asked at first glance if they have always been so close. They both are 29.5 in long (although I do think the whole lay them down and put a line at the feet and top of the head trick may be slightly flawed) and just under 23 lbs (Gracie is 22.15 & Lily is 22.13). Both of those measurements put them in the high 70- low 80 percentile. Now for the measurements that put them high on the charts. I can't remember the exact numbers (and I don't have the paper in front of me) but both girls have inherited their parents' huge heads. Gracie is in the 96th percentile and Lily is "off the charts".
We did discover that both girls still have ear infections. This really stinks because we just finished meds about 3 weeks ago (maybe) and the girls don't really have symptoms when their ears are bad. They have been fussy when you lay them down to change or going to bed, but we just figured this was "independence" starting. We got more medicine and hopefully it will clear everything up. The doctor did tell us about a device for home use that helps to monitor fluid in the ears. She said that some doctors even used it when she was a resident, and if it wasn't too expensive it would be worth the purchase. She told me that they use to sell them at Walgreens. After work I stopped by the Walgreens to see if they still carried the "ear thing". I looked by myself and couldn't find it so I asked the pharmacist if she had heard of such a device. After she looked at me like I had three heads, she proceeded to help, but it couldn't be found. I decided to do some research online before asking at another store. I found what the doctor was speaking of and it looked like it might do the trick. It is called EarCheck Monitor. They have a website and it is available through many different retailers. I am looking forward to getting ours in to see if it really works. It costs about $50, but that is the co-pay if we take both girls to the doctor, so it will pay for itself.
The doctor also said that the girls could start on whole milk. I was excited about this because formula can be pricey when you are feeding 2. We did switch to the transitional formula (9-24 months) about 2 months ago and it is cheaper. The catch is, the daycare workers mentioned that if the girls were on milk the daycare provided it for us while they are there. I haven't figured the difference in cost yet, but I am pretty sure that will help us on our grocery bill! I figured the girls would have no problem switching to the "real stuff", but the doctor said that some kids have to develop a taste. We decided to try some whole milk at dinner last night (about 2 oz)- the girls LOVED IT! They drank it very quickly and wanted more. I didn't want to over-do-it the first time, so I mixed up some formula to top them off. Lily was fussiest so I gave her formula first. While I was in the kitchen making Gracie's, Walt started laughing really loud. I came around the corner to see what had happened, and this is what he said - Lily took the cup, started to drink and then pulled the cup away from her mouth. She then proceeded to look at the cup, then threw it on the ground in disgust! He said it was priceless! She did eventually finish the formula, but I don't know how happy she was about it.
I know this was a lot to read, but it has been awhile since I have written. This upcoming weekend we are going with my family to Ruidoso. I am looking forward to some time off from work and getting to see the girls outside of the normal surroundings. We are staying at this big rental house, with 4 master suites, that my parents were given as a gift from the church choir to spend some time at. Walt and I went to Ruidoso a few years ago with our friends Brandon & Danyel, and really enjoyed the town and the scenery. I will post some pics when we get back- have a blessed day!
Well, we survived the girls' 1st birthday! It is hard to believe that 1 year has gone by. (I know everyone says that) The girls' actual birthday was on Friday, and we had a pretty quiet day. Saturday was the party, and we had a blast! We celebrated with family and friends all afternoon. The girls received tons of fun and beautiful gifts (see Flickr for details). The girls had mixed responses to their 1st taste of processed sugar- Lily enjoyed picking off the icing, Gracie was more reserved and has issues with different textures.
Thanks to everyone who helped us this past year through prayers, babysitting and encouraging words! The first few months are a blur, but the past months have been so much fun with the girls development- physically and personality-wise! I am excited about the years to come! Please check out Flickr for many more pics of our big girls!
Just a post to let everyone know that there are new pics & videos on Flickr- enjoy!!!
You're up all night with a screaming baby
You run all day at the speed of life
And every day you feel a little bit less
Like the beautiful woman you are
So you fall in bed when you run out of hours
And you wonder if anything worth doing got done
Well, maybe you just don't know
Or maybe you've forgotten
That you, you are changing the world
One little heartbeat at a time
Making history with every touch and every smile
Oh, you, you may not see it now
But I believe that time will tell
How you, you are changing the world
One little heartbeat at a time
With every "I know you can do it"
And every tear that you kiss away
So many little things that seem to go unnoticed
They're just like the drops of rain over time
They become a river
And you, you are changing the world
One little heartbeat at a time
Making history with every touch and every smile
Oh, you, you may not see it now
But I believe that time will tell
How you, you are changing the world
One little heartbeat at a time
You're beautiful
So beautiful
How you're changing the world
Yeah, you're changing the world
You, you are changing the world
One little heartbeat at a time
Making history with every touch and every smile
Oh, you, you may not see it now
But I believe that time will tell
How you, you are changing the world
Oh, I believe that you
You are changing the world
One little heartbeat
At a time
And you're changing the world
- Steven Curtis Chapman
"One Heartbeat", This Moment
I am looking forward to my first Mother's Day with the girls! I hope all the mothers that are reading this know what a blessing you are to your children. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!
